Abstract: A water hydrant defines an elongated flow passage having a water inlet and an air inlet, and a laterally extending water outlet spout disposed therebetween to define an outlet. An elongated rotatable stem is reciprocated within the flow passage, and terminates in an exterior handle. A water inlet valve is connected to the stem for control of flow from the water inlet into the passage and an air valve is connected to the stem to control inflow of air and preclude outflow of water through the air inlet. A first check valve in the spout precludes backflow of water into the passage, movement of the air valve opening the first check valve during operation of the handle. A second check valve in the spout downsteam of the first check valve precludes backflow of water into the spout. A drain orifice, open to the atmosphere, extends through the spout between the check valves.

Abstract: Process for replacing a cartridge in a housing of a freeze proof hydrant. A plunger within the cartridge is urged against a roller pin lodged in the cartridge. A first end of the cartridge is deformed away from a ridge in the housing. The cartridge is slid out of the housing and the first end of the replacement cartridge is deformed. The replacement cartridge is slid into place within the housing. The first end of the replacement cartridge expanded to capture the ridge in the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating and transferring liquid waste comprising a pump assembly that is connected to a holding tank and to a liquid container; the pump assembly being mounted on a wall and elevated above the holding tank; the pump assembly including a flexible hose detachably mounted on one end to said pump assembly and which is adapted to be connected at a second end to an aperture in the container, the aperture in the container being connected to a suction mechanism extending to the bottom of the container to permit the pump assembly to drain substantially all of the liquid waste from the liquid container and into the holding tank.

Abstract: A valve system is provided which enables the opening and closing of a valve to be controlled from outside a hermetically-sealed container such as a glove box. The system also is capable of adjusting the packing nut of the valve from outside the container.

Abstract: A wall-mount faucet assembly has a wall fitting adapted to be recessed in a wall and having an externally threaded stem projecting from the wall centered on an axis and formed with hot- and cold-water outlet ports. This fitting is formed with hot- and cold-water inlet ports behind the wall. A mixing faucet having an internally threaded collar engageable with the stem is rotatable thereon for axially displacing the faucet on the fitting. The faucet is formed in the collar with hot- and cold-water inlets connected in the fitting to the outlet ports. An adapter engaged in the collar between the faucet and the fitting has hot- and cold-water passages with upstream ends at the respective outlet ports and downstream ends at the respective inlets. The downstream ends are concentric such that the inlets connect thereto in any angular position of the faucet on the fitting.

Abstract: A faucet assembly has a wall plate having a pair of outlet ports adapted to be connected to hot- and cold-water supplies, a faucet having an end formed with inlet ports, and an adapter. The adapter has a pair of relatively telescoping parts formed with a pair of throughgoing passages extending between the parts. One of the parts is adapted to fit with the plate over the outlet ports thereof and the other part is adapted to fit with the faucet over the inlet ports thereof. Screws braced between the parts can relatively axially telescope same steplessly.

Abstract: Freeze-proof hydrants having a housing, the first end thereof having a fitting for flow communication with a pressurized liquid source. There is a passageway in the housing for liquid flow, a back flow preventer in the passageway and a drain in the housing. A removable cartridge is located in the passageway between the back flow preventer and the first end of the housing. The cartridge has a casing having a passageway therein, a drain therein with a drain channel and at least one hole in the drain channel which extends through the casing, arrangement for retaining the removable cartridge in the passageway, and a plunger in the passageway which can be moved from an open or liquid flowing position to a closed or liquid draining position, and vice versa. The plunger has a plunger head which blocks the passageway in the closed position and which allows liquid flow in the passageway in the open position.

Abstract: A water delivery control system that may be retrofitted to an existing water delivery fixture by simply removing the existing valve handles and then mounting the control system over the existing valve stems. The control system includes an external housing, a control panel on which an operator may select a desired temperature and pressure, and a valve actuator assembly including at least one electromechanical valve actuator and valve actuator linkage for coupling the valve actuator to an existing valve stem. The spatial arrangement of the valve actuator assembly is such that the valve actuator linkage will couple with an existing valve stem when the control system is surface mounted on the wall or countertop that surrounds the existing water delivery fixture.

Abstract: A valve assembly particularly designed for the control of hot and cold water comprising a frame having mounted thereon a first and second inlet conduit, and a first and second outlet conduit. A first solenoid valve connecting said first inlet and first outlet conduits to provide opening and closing of the passageways formed by those conduits. A second solenoid valve connecting said second inlet and second outlet conduits to provide for opening and closing of the passageway formed by said conduits. A ground fault circuit interrupter mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said first and second solenoid valves to prevent any potential electrical shock. The ground fault circuit interrupter is wired between the solenoids and the switched power supply providing for activation and deactivation of said solenoid valves.

Abstract: A washing machine box for being mounted between two adjacent studs in a wall and for allowing first and second water supply lines and a drain line to be coupled to first and second water hoses and a drain hose, respectively, of a washing machine. The box includes a first side wall; a second side wall; and a base member having a first end attached to the first side wall and having a second end attached to the second side wall.

Abstract: A drainage system for housing constructions, comprising at least one fixture drain connected to a main drain, a building sewer evacuating waste waters from the main drain to the city drain, and a sump pump located in a water collecting reservoir in the basement of the housing for evacuation through a discharge line, of any water accumulating into the reservoir, the reservoir having a bottom outlet leading to the sewer. A check valve is mounted at the outlet of the reservoir to prevent backflow from the building sewer, the check valve being readily accessible from the reservoir, and a discharge line, used to expell excess waters with the sump pump, running from the pump outside of the house. The invention is useful in that the sullage can readily be evacuated outside of the housing construction when the main drain or the sewer is clogged.

Abstract: A method of making a partition for a prefabricated framed wall to be mounted into a building structure under construction has several steps: cutting at least one hole through each of a plurality of frame studs, a top frame plate, and a bottom frame plate; aligning the plurality of frame studs; securing tops of the frame studs to the top frame plate; securing bottoms of the frame studs to the bottom frame plate; installing plumbing pipes between the frame studs; and inserting either a sanitary tee or a waste pipe connector or a heating/cooling duct through the holes in the bottom frame plate so that they depend therebelow. The sanitary tees connect below a bathroom floor to either a toilet fixture or a bathtub or a shower. The waste pipe connectors are connected below a floor to either a kitchen sink, a dishwasher, a laundry basin, or a clothes washer. The heating/cooling duct connects either below the bathroom floor or above the bathroom ceiling to either a heater or an air conditioner.

Abstract: An anti-siphon frost free faucet having a neck portion that includes an anti-siphon back flow preventer interposed between the neck and a hose, a water drain means positioning at the lowest point in said faucet to facilitate complete water drainage of said faucet when a supply of water to said faucet is turned off and an air vent means on said faucet operable when said supply of water is turned off to allow air into said faucet to assure optimum pressure operate said drain means.

Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve has a connection housing and an attachment housing which are joined together at abutting surfaces. The connection housing has hot, cold and mixed water passages which mate with respective hot, cold, and mixed water passages in the attachment housing. The attachment housing further has valve means for controlling the temperature and quantity of the mixed water.

Abstract: The combination plaster guard and mounting bracket (10) has a mounting bracket section (12) which is mounted to a mixing valve fitting (18). A tubular protective member (14) is connected to the mounting section via frangible tabs (24). The tubular member (14) is sized to receive and protect the mixing valve (16) during installation of the valve and construction of the surrounding wall. During certain installations, it is desirable for removal of the tubular member from the mounting section. The removal can be accomplished by rotation of the tubular member so that frangible tabs (24) break to release the tubular member from the bracket section (12).

Abstract: System for sealing a plumbing fixture, which fixture has a flange with an edge lying in spaced relationship to a vertical wall surface and a sealing element lying along and attached to the said edge to compensate for variations in the distance between the edge and the wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-aligning couling for connecting laboratory animal cages to a drinking water supply. A male coupling is attached to a grommet assembly at the back of the cage and a female coupling is assembled to a fluid supply manifold at the back of a shelf located so that when the cage is placed on the shelf and translated to the rear the male coupling will automatically conect to the female coupling and water supply. The grommet assembly allows the male coupling to be self-aligning in angular and radial directions to facilitate coupling.

Abstract: Washing machine connection boxes can be constructed so as to be useful in a variety of "difficult" or "tight" situations by forming the bottoms of such boxes so that a drain pipe and two water supply lines can be installed so as to be connected to said bottom in whatever sequence or series is most advantageous as a result of the way that such a drain pipe and such lines are provided by a plumber adjacent to the box.

Abstract: The connecting fitting member for a cold and warm water mixing valve includes a coupler mounted in a structure wall, which has passages for two or more pipe connections and from which additional passages lead for connection of the mixing valve branch in a substantially transverse direction. The housing of the mixing valve has a base surface corresponding to the upper surface of the coupler. This connecting fitting member is improved, since a fitting member is inserted or mounted in the housing of the mixing valve, with which it is possible to reverse the connections for the cold and warm water by a rotation of 180.degree. and to fix the mixing valve in any angular position in the coupler.

Abstract: A water hydrant specifically adapted for use in domestic and non-domestic water systems for commercial, institutional and residential use with the water hydrant including a unique valve structure incorporating ceramic components and a unique actuating structure requiring only a quarter turn of a valve operator in order to move the valve from a fully open to a fully closed position. The valve operating mechanism includes an elongated operating rod extending through a casing installed in a wall of a building and having a fitting for a garden hose. The valve structure itself includes a valve body having an arcuate slot-like structure therein to receive a projection on the valve actuator to limit the rotational movement to one-quarter turn when moving the valve components from fully open to fully closed position.

Abstract: A valve handle adaptor formed on one end with a shank configured for complemental telescopical receipt in a pocket formed in a valve handle and formed on its opposite extremity with an adaptor socket. A plurality of extenders, each formed on one end for receipt within such adapator socket and formed on the opposite end with an extender socket capable of receiving the shank of another extender or, in the alternative, a spud. A plurality of spuds are formed with external configurations for complemental receipt in the spud socket, adaptor socket or extender socket. The handle may be mounted directly from a valve stem through such spud, or through the adaptor by inserting the shank in the spud socket and a spud in the adaptor socket for receipt over a broach formed in the end of the valve stem, or through any number of extenders fitted between the adaptor and spud. The kit can therefore adapt a handle to a wide variety of broach sizes and offset distances.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a frostproof sillcock for a structured wall having a spigot at one end and a pipe connection at the other, including a tubular member slid over the sillcock providing an annular area between the exterior of the sillcock and the interior of the tubular member. Elastomeric gaskets seal both ends of the tubular member. A small diameter opening in the tubular member adjacent the spigot receives a short length of small diameter flexible tubing so that one end of the tubing communicates with the annular area and the other end extends below the spigot and exteriorly of the building wall. Any leakage of the sillcock is thereby drained away.

Abstract: The present invention includes an elongated housing having a bore extending therethrough with an inlet end at one end and an outlet nozzle at the other end. A removable cartridge is inserted within the bore and includes the valve assembly and the handle and operating rod for moving the valve assembly. The entire working valve assembly and operating rod can be removed as a unit for replacement of o-rings or other parts.

Abstract: A symmetrical gas rail is provided with first and second ends thereon having a cental opening therethrough which provides a conduit for the conduction of fluid flow therethrough. The rail has a generally square configuration with four corners such that the front profile of the rail is the same even when the rail is rotated 360.degree. in 90.degree. increments. The rail is adapted to mount a variety of apparatus such as medical equipment and lighting in at least one set of the aligned, spaced opposed grooves in any 90.degree. position in the 360.degree. field. A gas feed is coupled to one of the rail and an access coupling is provided at any point along the rail to provide access to the fluid flow therein. The symmetrical configuration allows flexibility in mounting the rail in four different positions on a permanent mount or rotatably mounting the rail in a pedestal mount which may be positioned on a wall or up off the floor e.g. between two rows of beds in patient care facilities.

Abstract: The aspirator system of this invention is directed to an economical regulator assembly which can provide a substantially uniform vacuum without the need for periodic adjustment. The vacuum of the system can be easily and accurately adjusted, thereby accommodating changes in system pressure demands. The system is not prone to vacuum leakage or undesired vacuum fluctuations.

Abstract: System for sealing a plumbing fixture, which fixture has a flange with an edge lying in spaced relationship to a vertical wall surface and a sealing element lying along and attached to the said edge to compensate for variations in the distance between the edge and the wall.

Abstract: A faucet repair kit for replacing a faulty valve stem, handle and escutcheon. The kit includes an adapter ring for fitting over the replacement valve stem and including an adhesively backed ring for mounting directly on the tile work surrounding the stem to hold the adapter ring in position. The adapter ring is formed with external threads which engage with the internal threads of an escutcheon formed to fit over the valve stem and screw onto the adapter ring. The escutcheon may have a detachable neck to permit the length thereof to be adjusted. A valve handle with a detachable skirt is then provided for fitting upon the valve stem such that the skirt may be detached to selectively adjust the length of the valve handle in accordance with the relative lengths of the replacement stem and escutcheon.

Abstract: A reversible side outlet washing machine box for being mounted between two adjacent studs in a wall and for allowing first and second water supply lines and a drain line to be coupled to the first and second water hoses and drain hose, respectively, of a washing machine. The box includes a first side wall; a second side wall; and a base member having a first and a second end; the base member extends between the first and second side walls and is reversible to allow either the first or second end thereof to be attached to either the first or second side wall; the first water supply line and the first water hose being attachable to the base member adjacent the first end thereof, the second water supply line and the second water hose being attachable to the base member intermediate the first and second ends thereof, the drain line and the drain hose being attachable to the base member adjacent the second end thereof.

Abstract: System for sealing a plumbing fixture, which fixture has a flange with an edge lying in spaced relationship to a vertical wall surface and a sealing element lying along and attached to the said edge to compensate for variations in the distance between the edge and the wall.

Abstract: An improved faucet drain assembly for preventing damage to a faucet due to freezing of residual water in the faucet upon exposure of the faucet to low temperature conditions. The faucet drain assembly comprises a faucet extension member supported by the faucet, the faucet extension member having a drain bore extending therethrough which is in fluid communication with the faucet, and a fluid valving assembly disposed in the drain bore and responsive to the flow pressure through the faucet.

Abstract: A garden hose reel is provided that may selectively be mounted on either a portable caddy or a fixed wall bracket. The garden hose reel hereof comprises a rotatable reel mounted on a U-shaped yoke. The yoke has a vertical arm depending downwardly from the midpoint of the yoke that is pivotally received by either a caddy supported bracket or wall mounted bracket. A latch assembly selectively holds the reel in a fixed position, and limits the angle through which the reel may be pivoted.

Abstract: A cutout (4) is made in a room wall (2) and flexible tubing (13) connected to a vacuum conduit (12) is pulled therethrough. A box (1) is attached to the tubing and includes a frame portion (15) for surrounding the cutout, and inwardly recessed portion (18) having side and top and bottom walls (19-22) and a back wall (23), and outwardly and inwardly extending annular connector flanges (25, 26) for connecting to the vacuum wand and the conduit flexible tubing. After the conduit tubing and box are connected, the box is pushed inwardly so that its recessed portion extends through the cutout into the wall. A slot (29, 30) is provided in each vertical sidewall of the box with the slot extending into the back wall so that it is generally L-shaped in section. A generally Z-shaped clip (33) having a long leg (35) and short leg (34) joined by a web (36) is provided for each slot.

Abstract: Fluid distribution connector made up of a connector body (1) provided with a fluid intake (4, 33') and means to assure the circulation of the fluid between this intake and a connector tip (13, 39) only when this tip is introduced into the connector body, characterized in that it comprises a jacket (2, 25) whose rear chamber (3, 26) can communicate with fluid intake (3, 34) and in which slides a piston (5, 17) provided with a circulation duct in the form of an axial blind hole (6, 18) open at the front and radial bores (7, 19) at the rear, this piston being kept by the pressure of fluid in the closed position, for which the radial bores are located in the jacket, against a stop (8, 36), while introduction of connector tip (13, 39) shove it in its open position for which radial bores (7, 19) come out in rear chamber (3,26).

Abstract: A fixing cover for a walled faucet, and more specifically, novel structure for fixture to reinforce the rear section of a faucet installed straight against a wall. It includes number of folded segments selectively distributed along the interior of a central section, to permit fitting of an annular pad by reverse setting. Thus the rebounding tension inherent inside compression members distributed along the inner diameter of the annular pad may bear against the rear portion of the faucet relative to the wall, in a manner more effective and reliable than in the prior art.

Abstract: Expandable vent closure apparatus for a greenhouse comprising a clear inflatable mat, the opposed surfaces of which are sealed to one another to form a plurality of horizontal tubular members and a plurality of internal air passages connecting one to the other. Air means connected to the uppermost tubular section inflates the mat within a wall mounted support assembly from the top down to seal the vent opening or upon deflation to open the vent.

Abstract: A water valve adjustable stem assembly includes a valve housing with an inlet and outlet therein and a valve positioned within the housing. The valve has an inlet and outlet communicating with the housing inlet and outlet and there is a movable valve member to open and close the valve. A valve housing extension is adjustably connected to the valve housing and connects to an escutcheon. A stem extension is attached to the movable valve member and extends within the housing and housing extension and adjustably supports a stem connected thereto. An operating handle is connected to the stem and spaced closely adjacent to the escutcheon. The valve housing is mounted to an underlying support and the adjustment between the valve housing extension and valve housing and the adjustment between the stem extension and stem provides for variably positioning the handle and escutcheon relative to the valve housing mounting.

Abstract: A mixing faucet assembly especially adaptable for frostfree installation has a casing with a mixing chamber containing valve means for controlling the flow of hot and cold water into the chamber. The mixed water is conveyed from the mixing chamber to a tubular member having a nozzle spaced from the casing. A control rod is connected to the valve means and extends through the tubular member to a single handle control adjacent to the nozzle so that upon rotation of the control rod hot and cold water is selectively metered into the mixing chamber and from there communicated to the nozzle. The control rod may be detachedly connected to the valve means at the casing and the casing may be detachably connected to the tubular member for servicing the faucet assembly from the inside of a building.

Abstract: A service outlet wall comprising at least one generally planar wall member, at least one section of which is adapted to receive one or more service outlets having a service conduits connected thereto and leading to service sources is disclosed. Means for housing the conduits is provided. The housing means is adjacent to the linear sections of the wall member and is configured to conceal and protect the service conduit. The service outlets are movable along the linear sections of the wall member, permitting placement of the service outlets at different positions along the linear sections. The service conduits connected to the outlets are simultaneously repositioned while maintaining the conduits in a concealed and protected position. A rail system for providing service outlets to particular locations in a room while simultaneously positioning service conduit connected to the outlets is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic molded laundry interface box serving as a connection junction box between plumbing connections in a wall and a washing machine is integrally provided with features including hinged mounting brackets, reversible mounting positions for connection to downward or upward extending water pipes, preformed holes for adaption to multiple mounting postures having removable insert plugs in nonused holes, and cover plate structure permitting adjustment for various thickness walls. These features are coordinated to permit installation in the least amount of time without special tools and to facilitate storage in limited space while conforming to various locations of inwall plumbing pipes of different sizes. The preferred embodiment is a one piece integral plastic box with plastic springs attaching the hinged brackets thereto.

Abstract: A pedal operated flushing system includes a hydraulically-actuated flush valve connected to a hydraulic fluid source by a supply line having a control valve therein. The control valve is mounted on a pocket portion of a bracket, the pocket forming an enclosure about an opening in a wall. A pedal is hinged to the bracket and normally covers the wall opening. The pedal pivots into the enclosure to actuate the control valve. A spring interposed between the pedal and control valve absorbs overtravel of the pedal toward the valve.

Abstract: In a concealed sanitary valve unit the valve body received in a concealed outer housing is made from plastic material. In order not to exert excessive mechanical loads, particularly torsional and tensional loads onto the valve body improved clamping means are provided which will exert onto the valve body only small compressive loads. Connection of the valve body to the feed and work lines extending through the wall is achieved without making use of threadings, since connecting nuts are fixed to the feed viz. work lines having plane end faces adapted to sealingly engage plane connecting faces of the valve body.

Abstract: A washing machine outlet box of the type capable of fitting within a wall and attaching to wall studs within this wall is improved by incorporating during the manufacture of said washing machine outlet box a disc as an integral part of the bottom wall, with the disc located over the future drain opening. The disc is attached to the bottom wall by a breakable or severable ring. After installation of the washing machine outlet box to an appropriate drain pipe, the disc serves as a plug for pressure testing of the drain pipe and further serves as a dam to prevent introduction of foreign material into the drain pipe during construction stages of the wall and the like. Upon completion of pressure testing and after completion of construction, a tab attaching to the disc is lifted upwardly so as to sever the ring attaching the disc to the wall to free the disc to form the drain opening in the bottom wall of the washing machine outlet box.

Abstract: A freeze proof faucet which is adapted to be mounted to an exterior wall and comprises an elongated tubular housing defining an interior housing chamber. The housing is mounted to the wall and the interior end of the housing is connected to the water supply while an outlet is formed on the housing outside the wall. An elongated valve member is longitudinally slidably mounted within the housing and movable from a closed position, in which one end of the valve member sealingly engages and closes a valve seat adjacent the innermost end of the housing, and an open position in which the valve member permits water to flow from the inlet, through the housing and out through the outlet. A valve actuator is threadably mounted to the housing on its exterior end and includes a pusher surface which cooperates with an abutment surface formed on the valve member.

Abstract: A wall mountable vacuum breaker is disclosed. In one embodiment, there is an escutcheon mountable against the wall over a wall opening, the escutcheon having openings alignable with fluid supply and outlet pipes which terminate near the opening. There are also a pair of couplings connectable to the respective pipes through the escutcheon, with at least one of the couplings being shaped so as to bear against an outwardly facing surface of the escutcheon when the coupling is connected to the pipe. This holds the escutcheon against the wall. A fastener is provided to connect the main valve body to the respective couplings. In an especially preferred embodiment, there is provided a decorative shroud that is removably mounted to the valve body so as to enclose the valve body and the fastener.

Abstract: A used cooking oil disposal system for receiving oil from a building includes an oil receiving means inside the building communicating with an external, insulated, cylindrical holding tank having thermostatically controlled heater means servicing at least a part of the tank and a discharge outlet connectable through valve means to a pump for removing the oil from the tank.

Abstract: A water hydrant is provided with a number of valves operable to eliminate freezing problems and to prevent backflow into potable water, thereby precluding the danger of contamination. Water and air valves operate in conjunction such that trapping of water in the hydrant is averted by the admission of air after each closing of the water valve. By a somewhat different arrangement in outlet spout valving, air is also admitted to the spout after each closing of the water valve or other reduction in water pressure, the spout valving having the additional feature of blocking backflow, all of which meets the anti-contamination requirements of the hydrant.

Abstract: A receptacle for installation in exterior walls of a building for removable installation of a freeze resistant hose bib is shown. The receptacle comprises a tubular element having at one end means to receive and hold a threaded water supply pipe nipple in a clamping relationship with the threaded nipple end thereof inserted axially into the interior of the tube, and at the other end thereof a mounting block means adapted to be secured to exterior wall surface of a building. The tubular element extends into the wall and is adapted to receive through said block after installation in the wall a freeze resistant hose bib. The receptacle is fastened to the exterior wall surface and clamps the water supply pipe permitting subsequent installation and removal of a freeze resistant hose bib for servicing.

Abstract: A Roman tub fixture assembly for mounting a spout to the exposed spout side of a wall or deck having an exposed spout side and an opposite facing hidden side includes a receiver body which is adapted to couple to one or more water pipes located on the hidden side of the wall or deck. A flanged nut is threadably received over the body in order to mount the body within an opening in walls or decks of different thicknesses. A spout hub having a shank portion and a shoulder portion is threadably received along the shank portion within a passageway in the receiver body. The shank portion includes two cylindrically shaped sections which have different diameters, the larger diameter section having external threads and the smaller diameter section having sealing means in order to seal the space between the body and the hub at a location upstream from the threaded portion of the body passageway.

Abstract: A wall mounted mixing valve having cold and warm water inlet connecting means with at least one of the connecting means being adjustably mounted in a support plate of the mixing valve so that the connecting means can be shifted parallel to the wall and the other connecting means mounted in the support plate forming a pivot bearing thereby providing means to accurately position the mixing valve with respect to the hot and cold water supply lines by adjusting the distance between the connecting means either horizontally or vertically along the wall.

Abstract: An adjustable valve handle is disclosed which permits wide variation in location of a recessed plumbing fixture relative to the wall behind which it is placed. This wide range of adjustment is accomplished utilizing a stem over which a handle with an elongated bore is placed. Securing means in the handle permits placement of the handle at numerous locations along the stem without the necessity of cutting, breaking off or otherwise altering the stem.